As Mayor Nutter Celebrates A-Nutter Birthday, Orrin 'Checkmate' Hudson Challenges Mayor Nutter to 'Get in the Game' for Philadelphia's Kids

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- 2010 World Open Chess Tournament, July 1-6, 2010 -- Philadelphia's inquiring minds want to know ... "Does Mayor 'Wonder Mike' Nutter have all the right moves?" We all know he can get in the game, but can he "stay in the game?" In celebration of the mayor's "?" birthday, Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson has challenged Mayor Nutter to a chessboard showdown: "Mayor Nutter, you name the Philadelphia location, and I will gladly meet you on your designated turf, with cameras rolling to record this epic event!"

Hudson turned his focus from competitive chess to using the game as an educational tool after he learned of an incident in which seven Wendy's employees were shot, five of whom died - for a mere $2,400 dollars. It was this tragic incident that inspired Hudson to quit his job and use his life savings to establish "Be Someone," a non-profit organization designed to raise self-esteem while teaching responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk children. Hudson recognized the link between the strategic thinking skills that chess teaches and the game's inherent training of the mind for higher education. As a frontline advocate for the education of children, Hudson shares Mayor and Mrs. Nutter's unwavering devotion to youth advocacy.

"I've devoted the last ten years of my life to teaching children to push pawns, not drugs," said Hudson. "With the support of Brenda and Bill Goichberg of the Continental Chess Association, I will return and compete in the 2010 World Open." The World Open brings together champions from around the globe to compete, from novices to the best in the world.

Hudson was impressed to learn that five students from the Philadelphia Youth Chess Challenge recently received the first Chess Scholarship Awards for their excellence in high school chess. It was Mayor Nutter who announced the inaugural scholarship awards at a City Hall press conference on June 7, praising the students as "mentors" for other school district youth.

As for Hudson, he now travels the nation mentoring children to value KASH - Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, & Habits - over cash. Hudson has appeared on the front page of USA Today, in Sports Illustrated for Kids, People magazine, CNN, Good Morning America, and CBS Early Morning Show

Editorial Note:

Hudson will be at the Radisson Hotel Valley Forge, 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia, PA, from July 1-6. An experienced national broadcast media guest and motivational speaker, he is available for interviews and guest appearances during this time.

Just in case you missed our story on the front page of AOL.com, Sunday, June 20, 2010:

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/06/20/amazing-dad-orrin-hudson/

Must-see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFENGymr34

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SOURCE Be Someone